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The Alpha’s Borrowed Luna
Chapter 165
1 sat back on the bed, suddenly aware of how exhausted I was. The antic search for Kaius had left little time for rest, and the emotional toll of the past days weighed heavily on me.
“Are you alright?” Kaius asked, noticing my wince as I shifted position.
“I’m fine.”
“Did you go to the healers?”
“Yes, and they said I was totally fine.” I didn’t mention that I’d downplayed my injuries to the healers, unwilling to have them report back to Frost or Kaius about what had happened in the forest.
His eyes narrowed slightly, suggesting he didn’t quite believe me. “How did you discover the truth about what I am?”
“I asked Thalia. She just needed a little bit more push to speak. She also talked about this former deceased king…”
“Rhaine,” Kaius supplied. “The king’s name was Rhaine.” After a pause, he added, “What more did she tell you?”
“She told me about how dangerous you were going to become.”
“And that still doesn’t scare you?”
I met his gaze steadily. “No. It doesn’t.”
He reached beneath the bed, pulling out a small wooden box I’d never seen before. “I want you to have this.”
He opened the lid, revealing a silver pistol nestled in black velvet. My breath caught in my throat..
“What?” I stared at it, uncomprehending.
“It’s a gun, and you know what it’s used for.”
“I know that, but why are you giving me this?”
“Because I think you need it.”
I shook my head firmly. “I don’t need this.”
“Don’t be stubborn, Elowen. This is for your own good.”
*And I said I don’t want it.” I stood, moving away from the bed–away from the gun and what it represented.
“I’m worried about you, and you know that. By taking this, you make this easier for me, for both of us.”
“You can’t expect me to…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, the implication too terrible to voice.
“Yes, I expect you to do just that.”
I whitted to face him, anger temporarily overcoming my shock. “I would never use it on you, monster or not. I would never shoot
you.”
“What if I killed you?” His voice was eerily calm.
1/2
Chapter 165
“Even then, I wouldn’t.”
“Then you don’t have to kill me. Just slow me down.” His eyes held ine, pleading for understanding.
“What if I lose aim and put a bullet in your heart instead? How would I live through that? My voice broke on the last word.
“I won’t blame you. You should know that.” He picked up the gun, holding it out to me. “Frost told me you’re quite good at aiming. This is no different from the bow and arrow; all you need to do is aim, pull this trigger, and fire.”
When I made no move to take it, he continued, “I’ll make sure the gun is always loaded, but you’ll have to ensure that you take this every place you go because you’re not safe, not with me, not any longer.”
“I can’t… I can’t…” Tears welled in my eyes, blurring his image.
“Elowen, I’d never want to put you in this situation, but this way, you would be safer.”
A terrible suspicion formed. “Does that contain silver bullets?”
His silence was answer enough.
“I can’t kill you, Kaius. Please don’t make me.” The tears spilled over, hot tracks down my cheeks.
“You won’t. I trust you.”
“I don’t want to fail you.” I meant it.
“I would never blame you. Just take it, Elowen.”
His expression–so determined, so pained–broke the last of my resistance. With trembling fingers, I took the gun, its weight solid and terrible in my palm.
“I’ll carry it,” I promised, my voice hollow. “But I’ll never use it on you.”
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